Rome, a 15th-century treasure resurfaces from the excavations in Piazza Venezia

In the heart of Rome, excavations for the new Metro C station in Piazza Venezia have once again provided a surprising window into the city's past. Archaeologists and technicians have unearthed a small Renaissance treasure: three bronze medals bearing the effigy of Pope Paul II, born Pietro Barbo, pontiff from 1464 to 1471. These artifacts, carefully hidden inside a terracotta vase, were found in the original foundations of the Palazzetto Venezia and can be accurately dated to 1467, the year in which construction of the building began. The discovery took place in one of the most emblematic spots in the city, where evidence of different eras coexists in an urban landscape that has its roots in classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.

The practice of hiding coins and medals in the foundations of buildings and churches was widespread in late 15th-century Rome, a ritual intended to bring good luck and prosperity to new constructions. Archaeologist Marta Baumgartner, scientific director of the excavation, pointed out that this is an ancient tradition that can still be found today in modern private construction, a sign of how this symbolic gesture has survived the centuries. Hiding metal objects during the foundation phase had a propitiatory meaning: the effigies of Pope Paul II, the architect of important urban works in the capital, testify to the desire to link the fate of the new structure to spiritual protection and papal favor.

The discovery makes it possible to date with certainty not only the foundation of the Palazzetto Venezia, but also to reconstruct the sequence of works that led to the arrangement of the square and, in the following centuries, to the construction of the Vittoriano. The original structure was moved at the beginning of the twentieth century precisely to allow for the creation of the monument to Victor Emmanuel II, another important chapter in the urban history of Rome. The medals are therefore a true clue left behind by the builders of the past, useful to scholars in clarifying the stages and practices of great Renaissance public works.

Around the Palazzetto Venezia and in the area of the square, recent archaeological excavations have unearthed a multitude of stratified finds: the Roman soil reveals itself as a living archive, where remains of imperial insulae, medieval roads, marble kilns, and everyday objects from families who lived in the area over the centuries intertwine. The construction site appears as an extraordinary research laboratory, where public and private entities collaborate to protect and enhance the archaeological heritage, integrating new discoveries into the city’s museum narrative. According to Luigi La Rocca, head of the Department for Protection at the Ministry of Culture, the proper scientific direction of the excavations has made it possible to combine the creation of modern works with “the research and enhancement of Rome’s hidden treasures,” recognizing the profound meaning of protection as a return to the urban community and to the many tourists of history, beauty, and identity.

The treasure trove that has emerged testifies to the depth of Rome’s historical stratification, where modern buildings stand alongside and overlap with ancient and medieval structures. New analyses have made it possible to map the construction phases, date the foundations, and attribute to different eras the materials and techniques employed: from the terracotta container to the composition of the medals, every detail restores a fundamental piece in the great mosaic of urban history. Archaeologists stress how important it is to continue the study and cataloging of the finds, especially in a nerve center such as Piazza Venezia, the monumental crossroads between the Colosseum, the Capitoline Hill, the Theatre of Marcellus, the Imperial Fora, and Torre Argentina.

The excavation activities have opened new perspectives on popular life in imperial Rome. Multi-story residential complexes have been identified, probably intended for modest families and artisan workshops. Traces of ancient kilns and fragments of medieval streets tell the story of the neighborhood’s metamorphosis over the centuries, with the evolution of the urban fabric and social habits. The stratification of the area, enriched with each survey, thus becomes a faithful mirror of Rome’s evolution, offering scholars and citizens a privileged key to understanding the city in its dynamic complexity.

Particularly significant is the collaboration between the Special Superintendency of Rome, the engineers of the companies overseeing the metro works, and the Ministry of Culture. Thanks to this teamwork, the discoveries will be integrated into the future Metro C station, with permanent exhibitions that will allow residents and visitors to admire the artifacts in their original context. According to the institutions involved, this initiative represents the true meaning of protection: not only preserving the past, but making it accessible and alive for future generations.

The discovery of the 15th-century bronze medals fits into a long series of finds that continue to emerge from the subsoil of the capital. Each object, each excavated layer, becomes tangible evidence that helps reconstruct the habits, rituals, and practices of Rome as it once was. The ritual function of the treasure reinforces the narrative of a city aware of its own identity, capable of transmitting symbolic gestures that still speak to the present. These discoveries are also the result of careful planning, in which the construction of major public works is designed in dialogue with respect for history and its preservation.

Scientific attention now turns to cataloging, analyzing the materials, and preparing future exhibitions: the treasure will be presented in the new station as a symbol of Rome’s fortune and capacity for regeneration over time, enhancing each of its fragments. The medals, cleaned and restored, will once again stand as tangible testimony to the papal splendor and Renaissance culture of the city. Citizens and tourists will thus be able to experience firsthand the story of a discovery that, though small, reveals the greatness and depth of the Capital.